Ashby Bethune with Queensborough National Bank and Trust in Augusta has graduated with honors from the Georgia Banking School. The graduation ceremony took place May 11 at the Georgia Center’s UGA Hotel and Conference Center in Athens, Ga.

Established in 1961, the Georgia Banking School is a three-year specialized school run by the Georgia Bankers Association. The purpose of the school is to prepare bank managers to effectively and profitably serve their hometowns by developing a thorough understanding of banking practices, regulations and management principles.

During the course of the three-year program, graduates complete an annual one-week residence session at the University of Georgia in Athens as well as home study problems between sessions. The school provides a well-balanced curriculum featuring UGA faculty members, veteran bankers and other industry experts and specialists.

“For 57 years this school has been a highly effective resource for developing the leadership talents of Georgia bankers," said Banking School Director Darron Burnette, Division CEO, South Georgia/North Florida, Synovus Bank. “It is common for graduates of the program to go on to become senior executives and bank CEOs as their careers grow.”